Several Craven towns to elect leaders on Tuesday

Published: Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 06:21 PM.

Andrea Olivia said she wants “to be a voice for the current citizens as well as help prepare for future families making River Bend their home.”

A theater and arts oriented individual, Taylor Morris “Buddy” Sheffield, retired here in 2009 and said he will be happy to work faithfully to help keep it like it is.

But there does not appear to be a disgruntled divide; just candidates with commitment and expertise that make them think they can best serve, including Karen Douglas McVicker and Luciclair S. “Luci” Avery.

The six-candidate field to fill the four seats on the Bridgeton Board of Commissioners includes four incumbents: present Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem John R. Chittick, Commissioner Charles Freeman, Commissioner Elizabeth “Boots” Parker and longest serving Commissioner Keith Lee Tyndall.

Challengers on the ballot include Alan Welch and Robert Toler.

Vying for five seats on the Dover Board of Aldermen are incumbent aldermen Gary Whitley, Margaret H. Creel and Bobby Pollard.

In addition to the more high profile city elections in New Bern and Havelock, Election Day will see the seating or re-seating of municipal leaders in other Craven County towns, including Trent Woods, River Bend, Dover and Bridgeton.

Vanceboro and Cove City do not have elections this year. All of the races are nonpartisan.

The gavels appear safe in the hands of four presently seated mayors: River Bend Mayor John Kirkman is not up for re-election this year, and Trent Woods Mayor Charles F. “Chuck” Tyson Jr., Bridgeton Mayor Rodman L. Williamsand Dover Mayor John Percy Wetherington Jr. do not face ballot challenges. Short of a write-in candidate — and none are rumored — they will hold their titles for another term.

But the governing boards of all four towns do have the possibility of changes in members.

The Trent Woods Board of Commissioners definitely will have at least one new member because incumbent Commissioner Chip Hughes did not run for another term so he can be free to file for a run for Craven County sheriff next year.

Two incumbents, longest serving Commissioner Shane Turney and Commissioner Bill Joiner, both filed for another term on the board.

Turney, a fiscal conservative who takes pride in reducing taxes twice during his time on the board and doing community projects without borrowing money, wants to continue representing Trent Woods citizens.

Joiner, an active Shriner and the local Santa Claus, said his record is clear. “I am a Christian, I love children and I love Trent Woods,” he said.

The three open seats have two newcomers looking for a place at the table.

Daniel “Dan” Murphy has an online and sign presence in his bid for a seat that asks for residents to let him do “my part to keep the Town of Trent Woods as one of the most desirable to live!”

Richard Paul Leissner Jr., a local lawyer, husband and father, has an active campaign underway in person and online with a similar campaign promise to “strive to keep Trent Woods a quaint, thriving community.”

In River Bend, five candidates, including one incumbent, Mayor Pro Tem Irving J. “Bud” Van Slyke Jr., are vying for the three open seats on the River Bend Town Council.

Van Slyke feels his professional experience in accounting and staff development have been particularly beneficial.

An active campaign with debate and candidate profiles have shown that some of those stepping up want less retirement-oriented town control and activities and others do not.

Andrea Olivia said she wants “to be a voice for the current citizens as well as help prepare for future families making River Bend their home.”

A theater and arts oriented individual, Taylor Morris “Buddy” Sheffield, retired here in 2009 and said he will be happy to work faithfully to help keep it like it is.

But there does not appear to be a disgruntled divide; just candidates with commitment and expertise that make them think they can best serve, including Karen Douglas McVicker and Luciclair S. “Luci” Avery.

The six-candidate field to fill the four seats on the Bridgeton Board of Commissioners includes four incumbents: present Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem John R. Chittick, Commissioner Charles Freeman, Commissioner Elizabeth “Boots” Parker and longest serving Commissioner Keith Lee Tyndall.

Challengers on the ballot include Alan Welch and Robert Toler.

Vying for five seats on the Dover Board of Aldermen are incumbent aldermen Gary Whitley, Margaret H. Creel and Bobby Pollard.